OpenAI Proposes Giving 5% Stake to US Government

OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT, is currently in early discussions to give a 5% stake in its business to the US government. This move is part of a larger effort by artificial intelligence companies to improve their relationship with the administration of President Donald Trump. According to reports from the Financial Times, OpenAI’s chief executive, Sam Altman, believes that giving the American public a financial share in the company is the best way to distribute the economic benefits of AI technology.

This proposal is still in the early, conceptual stages. If the plan goes forward, it would likely involve creating an investment vehicle similar to the Alaska Permanent Fund. This fund is a government-managed account that invests money from oil profits into stocks and pays dividends—regular payments of money—to state residents. By using a similar model, OpenAI hopes that every American citizen could eventually own a small part of the growth driven by AI, even if they do not personally invest in the stock market.

These discussions come at a time when major technology companies are facing significant pressure from Washington. As reported by The Guardian, the government has recently taken a more active role in overseeing AI development. For example, the company Anthropic was recently ordered to limit access to its newest model for foreign citizens due to national security concerns. While Anthropic has since resolved these issues, the incident highlights the growing tension between tech developers and federal officials.

Beyond government pressure, AI companies are also dealing with what some have called an “AI hate wave.” According to Ars Technica, recent polls show that many Americans are worried about the rapid development of AI. About 70 percent of people do not want large AI data centers built in their local areas, and many citizens feel more concerned than excited about the technology. With elections approaching, both political parties are aware that voters want stricter rules for the industry. However, both the Trump administration and tech leaders have warned that too many regulations could cause the United States to fall behind China in the global AI race.

While OpenAI is pushing for this 5% stake, it is not yet clear if other industry giants like Google and Meta will agree to the same plan. The Financial Times noted that while Altman has spoken with President Trump, commerce secretary Howard Lutnick, and treasury secretary Scott Bessent, other companies have not yet indicated they are willing to give up a portion of their ownership. Furthermore, any final agreement would likely require an act of Congress to become law.

There are also different ideas about how to handle AI wealth. Senator Bernie Sanders has been advocating for a different approach. He has suggested creating a government-run fund financed by a one-time 50% tax on the stock of the largest AI companies. This is a much more aggressive plan than the 5% stake proposed by OpenAI. The senator has been in talks with industry leaders, but it remains to be seen which path the government will choose.

As OpenAI and other firms prepare to list their shares on the stock market, some investors believe these companies could eventually be worth more than $1 trillion. This massive potential value is why the debate over public ownership is so important. By offering a small stake to the government, companies hope to show that they are willing to work with the public interest rather than just for their own profits.

For now, the situation remains fluid. The discussions are private, and no official deal has been signed. Whether this 5% stake will be enough to change public opinion or satisfy government regulators is a question that will likely be answered in the coming months. As the AI industry continues to grow, the relationship between these powerful companies and the American government will continue to be a central issue in national politics.